Bangladesh keep cool to ease past England

Queenstown: A collapse of epic proportions from England’s middle and lower order undid the good work of Liam Banks and Harry Brook, both of whom hit half-centuries in a 126-run stand for the second wicket.

Banks scored an 82-ball 74 and Brook a run-a-ball 66, but only two other players reached double digits as Bangladesh bowled England out for 216 in 47.2 overs.

That collapse cost them dear as Bangladesh eased to a five-wicket victory, guided by Afif Hossain’s all-round display. He first returned 3/18 before scoring a level-headed 86-ball 71 to guide the chase, along with Bangladesh captain Saif Hassan (59), who scored a fine half-century himself at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown on Sunday (28 January).

There was to be no repeat of England’s Group C victory over the same opponents, and the result meant that Bangladesh would go on to face South Africa in the fifth-place play-off in the 2018 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup, while England and New Zealand battle it out to finish seventh.